It has taken me nearly a year to finally take the plunge and join the most talked about social network of our time, Twitter. Not because I did not believe the words of my fellow Active Rainers, but 
because I was troubled by the thought of spending more time on my computer. As it is my family complains about the amount of time I spend on my blog and the Rain, but I think the paychecks every now and then keep them happy. :0)
Anyway, I digress. Like any other adventure in my life, after joining Twitter (one month ago) I had to jump in and learn all there was to learn about this new phenomenon. What's so great about this place? All I see is a page with my picture and a brief bio I have created to the right? So now what?
After being on Twitter for an hour I found some AR members. Within 2 hours of my membership I had made a lunch date with Elaine Hanson!!! Wow, this place is pretty cool.
My quick search of Twitter Tools directed me to some of the most amazing sites dedicated to Twitter and third party developers who have created applications for Twitter. As a Realtor I am more interested in the business aspect of Twitter and the tools that make my discussions on Twitter easier.
So with no further ado here is a list of Twitter tools and applications I found helpful as a Tweeting Realtor:
Plugins:
- Twitt-Twoo: Allows you to update your Twitter status right from your blog's sidebar.
- Twitter Update: Sends an automatic update to your Twitter account when you post, edit, or update a Wordpress post.
- Google Toolbar button: Allows you to see your friends tweets on your Google toolbar for IE.
Maps:
Know where your followers and people you are following on Twitter are twitting from:
- GeoTwitter: Google map Based.
- Mibazaar: Google map Based.
- My Tweet Map: Google maps and twitter integration.
- Twitt Earth: A fancy spinning globe that shows tweets.
- TwitterMaps: google maps based.
- TwitterVision: google maps based.
Web Services:
- CrowdStatus: Allows you to organize your contacts into any group you like.
- GroupTweet: Allows you to send private messages to specific groups.
- PingTwitter: Allows you to automatically update your Twitter account when you publish a new post to your blog.
- Timer: You can set up an alarm for things you need to remember, e.g. my birthday.
- Twitzu: Allows you to broadcast your events to your followers. I think this would come in handy for open houses!!!
- Twitabit: Allows you to store your tweets when Twitter is down and posts them when Twitter is back up and running.
- TwitThis: Allows people to tweet about your blog posts or website.
- TwitterShare: Allows you to share files less than 10 MB with other members (pictures, music, and videos).
- Twist: Allows you to see trends in Twitter.
Visual Aids:
- MobyPicture: Allows you to post pictures from your cell phone to your Twitter or Flicker acount.
- TwitPic: Allows you to share pictures on Twitter from your phone or computer.
Widgets:
- BeTwittered: A Google Widget for Twitter.
- Spinlets: A Widget that displays Tweets.
And many, many more. The list above is just a few tools that I thought I would use for my business. If you want the 411 on Twitter tools please take the time and visit Mashable where you can find all that is new on the web, not just Twitter.
Happy Tweeting.
Hi Mana,
You really rocked it with this one! Twitter's a great way to meet new people and an excellent opportunity to turn on-line connections into off-line connections (much like you did with Elaine).
hi Mana, even tho I joined Twitter a few months ago I just became more active on it recently. Finally I'm getting the hang of it, I find we really have to use it to see why so many people love it.
And for anyone who is still sitting on the Twitter fence, this is an absolutely must have, comprehensive list of resources. Thx for adding it to the group, really well done!
Richardo, Wow the word gets out fast on Twitter, doesn't it?
Marti, I think I have spent more time on Twitter lately than any other network. The best part is when people from my area start following me.
@Mana: why YES it most certainly does!
Thanks for all those fabulous resources...I'm getting my feet we now and will more than likely come back to your post for all these great tools.
@Ribeezie, That's why I am a Twitter fan. :0)
Sonja, That's great. Hope to see you around Twitter.
Mana- I gave twitter a quick try and just couldn't figure out how to make it biz-helpful... I'm going to give it another shot now. This is a great beginner's guide. (I've flagged it for a feature.)
Chuck, 1st let me thank you for your support. Also, I believe just like blogging you have to give Twitter some time.
I love twitter! i can definitely say that i'm pretty addicted. i'm a huge music head and try and check out as many music related twitter accounts as i can. My buddy works for the label Nettwerk Music Group (AWESOME bands!) and i guess they're starting their own www.twitter.com/nettwerkmusic. check it out.
Steve, Thanks, I will.
I guess as much as I hate to I will have to add this to all that I already do. Thanks for the great info.
Connie and Zane, You'll love it. See you around Twitter.
Mana--I like you have avoided Twitter for the same reasons...I did set up an account months ago and just added my AR stuff a week or so ago...I bookmarked your post so I can go back and figure out what you have learned before I take the plunge...if I ever have time that is :)
Great resources for Twitter. Thanks alot.
I've been on twitter for a little while now but I feel like I'm just starting to get a grasp on it. Thanks for links to all the twitter tools. I've got this page bookmarked.
Mana,
I just joined Twitter today and already found ActiveRain members including yourself. Thanks for all the great info!!!
Thank you for sharing. Oh, boy, something else I need to learn. Good thing it's the weekend!
@Mana -- You rock Twitter! This is a great list of tools -- bookmarked. We are goin to have to Tweet the CAR convention.
Hi @Ribeezie!
Signed,
@elainehanson
Teri, Let me know when you start you Twitting. I would love to follow you.
Cedric, You are welcome. Thank you for visiting.
Justin, Once you start, you'll see the benefits.
Tony, I hope you've started following people, because once you do followers start pouring in.
Pat, Hope to see you on Twitter.
@elainehanson, You got an honorable mention. Did you notice?
Hi Mana,
Congrats on your post! I signed up myself the week after we returned from BlogWorld, but that was it. I'm still out of the loop. Maybe like you, I don't really want to spend any more screen time than I am now.
Thanks for the info, we're on Twitter but still trying to figure out if it will have value for us.
Great post.
I am a Twitter fan too, and you all can find me at http://Twitter.com/BeeRealty .
I think it's great networking among agents and potential clients alike!
Well don't forget about video. We are working on a summation project with twitter. Good luck.
Sidney
housereel.com
I had browsed Twitter, but I didn't really get it. Thanks for this easy to follow summary, I'm going to have another look at Twitter.
OK, you have motivated me to give this a shot. Let's see how it roles......
thx...
Thank you for the Twitter tutorial ! There sure is a lot to learn !!! Looks like that is what I will be doing over the weekend.
Great information about twitter,
Thanks so much. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the social networking sites out there. This post is very helpful
You are hooked lady! Glad to see you tweeting. Makes it so much more fun for me. @pasadenaviews. :-)
Wow, that's a great list! I've used some of these tools, but there are many here I'd never heard of. Thanks!
WOW I am impressed and now you are past Twitter 101 and onto Twitter 102 ... LOL
I have been a twitter for a while but rarely visit that site (like you) my family time is always more limited that I would like, and MORE time on the computer sounds a bit painful.
I'll have to slide on over there to 'find' you!
Katrina
GREAT info on Twitter. I just started using it. This is very helpful. Bookmarked! THanks. KM
I'm new to Twitter as well.. Still trying to figure it all out... Any tips are greatly appreciated as I feel lost on Twitter
Thanks for the twitter tips. Sounds like it is working well for you. It is a challange with all the blogging and twittening.
Steve
Awesome rundown of Twitter tools; thanks much Mana:)I'll have to find and add you:)
This is a fabulous list, Mana. Another great resource is http://twitter.pbwiki.com/Apps
Mana- thanks- I just posted about Twitter and Facebook and wondering how they were supposed to get me all excited like Active Rain- but not too many comments to help me out- I am glad you posted and will check out some of the great tools you have posted about- hopefully I will have some more insight.
Fantastic information, thanks Mana! I started using Twitter a short time ago and this is really useful information.
@ManaTulberg -- You bet I noticed :) Thanks for the link love!
Camarillo, I need lessons from you. I have an account but haven't done much with it and all those Twitter tools seem overwhelming. Do you really think it is worth the time?
Mana - Thank you for taking the time to lay this all out. I joined Twitter some time ago, but don't know how to use it yet.
I think I will plan about an hour or more like you did and just jump in - this post will help.
@virginiahepp - I think!
Gena, I have started following some of the big SEO experts on Twitter. Most people on Twitter have set up an account with applications like: Twitterfeed. As soon as they submit a new post on any of their blogs, an update is sent to Twitter. Before you know it you are reading and getting educated on all the bloggin tools and useful blogging tips.
I am even following my local paper (yes, they are on Twitter). I know about everything that is happening in my community before most people in my city.
I have also seen Realtors announcing referrals on Twitter!
So has Twitter been productive? I would have to say yes.
Thanks for sharing this information. I am new to Twitter and still trying to figure it all out.
Mana,
You did a super job with this post---bookmarked it already!
Its fun isn't it. Thanks for all the tools you posted, I usually learn of them from being on twitter, but haven't been lately. Have you found me, I'm really hard to find. @missycaulk. LOL
Mana - Seriously... Now I'm going to spend my entire day checking out all these cool tools... I'm going to be following you on twitter in 2 minutes.
Hi Mana;
Thanks for bringing this topic up, and more so the sad fact that we can easily be sucked into these black holes of the blogging world. We can easily justify the time spent away from family by saying it is good for business.
You do a great job of making Twitter sound awesome. But I still fear taking on more web activity. If I check it out will it reach out and grab me like crack?
Noooo, Noooo, No.
Mana - awesome post - in face I joined twitter yesterday and am still trying to figure it out. This has helped immensely!
from rookie tweeter...thanks for all the resource Mana! looking forward to using some of these tools
Mana, great list of Twitter resources. Twitter is becoming more and more mainstream. Some of the reporters on CNN/FoxNews, etc. are using Twitter to communicate more in-depth on their stories.
Jeez from a small tweet so many thing have evolved its scary.
Mana - YOU ROCK! What a great list you put together here - Twitter has grown on me too (lol) - it's even more fun when our friends are there like you - I've been meeting more local people too - and also find it like AR for being a great resource of info from top SEO, blogging, etc. people. Happy to twit with tweeple from Active Rain - like Missy I'm not hard to find it's .... @cyndeehaydon
Twitter sounds good, but as with many others, I can't bring my self to join another site just yet. I will keep it in mind for the future.
Mana,
I started twitter a couple weeks ago, and have 150 or so updates and over 30 followers and followings.
Have not done much with the other twitter tools, except I did upload a photo.
Richard
Camarillo - good post - I'm on Twitter - just don't have the time.
I am new to Twitter. I am going to have to give some of these a try. They sound fun !!
I am new to Twitter. I am going to have to give some of these a try. They sound fun !!
Mana Lisa - Thanks for the comprehensive list! I don't think I have found you on Twitter yet. I have been a lot more active there lately.
I started Twitter a few months ago, but I had no clue about all those tools! Thanks for sharing!
Trick or "Twit" - ter -- Happy October Mana!
I am new to the AR site and feel comfortable enough now to try Twitter - thanks to this blog - I appreciate so much that you simplied this for all of us! -- Gabrielle
Thanks Mana for the great info. I'm still confused on Twitter. Going there to try again with you added info.
Bill Gassett had an interesting post the other day about Twellow which is a directory on Twitter. You might find it interesting.
BTW- great list of resources.
It looks like more things to do! Not sure why, but I can't real excited about it.
Hello Mana -
I am fairly new to Activerain, and am finally getting the hang of it. And now you've given me another big project! Thanks for letting me in on it - I'll jump in ASAP.
Best Wishes
Great list of Twitter tools. I just joined Twitter this week and have no clue...but I'm trying to learn!
What a great beginner's guide! Thanks for the plethora of information!
Thank you for the great tips! Much appreciated!
Mana, always more for me to learn. I joined a couple of weeks ago as "homework" for a class I'm taking. I still don't get most of it but I'm trying. Will definitely be following you when I log back in!
Mana....found out more about Twitter from my Social Media Marketing Webinar. Still not a big think here in Atlanta, which is surprizing. I'm following people from all over the US, but very few locally. Time will tell...and when it catches on, I hope I'm the star!
Well, there's only so much word of mouth you can listen to before you take action. Here's my moment! Thanks for posting!
As a less than a month old Twitter user this post will come in handy. I will bookmark it and go through the informational links you have posted.
After reading post after post about twitter, I am off to go try it out. I just feel like tweetie bird.
Liike you - I feel I am too much on the web but have been hearing about Twitter everywhere and can't ignore it any longer - this seems to be a Twitter week - everywhere I go, I am reminded. So, I have bookmarked this and plan to take the plunge this weekend (it's no Friday). Thanks
Thanks for your twitter excellence.
Thank you for sharing. I just very recently joined Twitter. Another Rainer posted an article about Twellow, which is Twitter's version of an online yellow pages. They have an entire listing for real estate agents. Even though I was a member of Twitter, I was not found in Twellow's pages. It was a quick update, since I already belonged to Twitter. Click here for more information on Twellow.
Kevin, Thanks for the info. I can't remember if I've checked out Twellow or not, but I am heading there right now.
I've been using Twitter now for a week and still haven't figured it out - til now! Thanks for the crash course. I've got this bookmarked.
I guess that I just need to get on the bandwagon and join. I have heard about twitter for months now, but have yet to take the plunge.
OK Mana... you inspired me. I joined Twitter. NOW... it's time for me to start making good use for it. (baby steps.)